Forest sign Kuwaiti 'keeper Al-Rashidi

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of goalkeeper Khaled Al-Rashidi on a free transfer from Al Arabi.

Al-Rashidi, 25, was one of a number of Kuwaiti players to have headed to the City Ground for a trial in the summer after the Championship side’s takeover by the Al-Hasawi family.

In August, Al-Rashidi - along with fellow Kuwait internationals Bader al-Mutawa and Hussain Fadhel - was denied a work permit for a move to Forest, but he has been successful following a new application.

He will now compete with Karl Darlow for the No. 1 spot following the departure of Lee Camp to Norwich.

Manager Alex McLeish told the club’s official website: “It will be good to look at him in close quarters, rather than watching him on video. We are hopeful he will be available to go on the bench on Saturday. Then we can integrate him in training and see what he can do.”

Al-Rashidi becomes the first Kuwaiti player to join an English club and he said: “It’s an enormous honour for me to be the first Kuwaiti to play in England. I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and getting to know the Championship.”